CCH Has Acquired Assets Of Aplus Tax â Software From Arthur Andersen, Firm Signs Licensing Agreement, Will Use CCH PROSYSTEM FXâ TAX In Its Own Practice

(Torrance, Calif., April 28, 2000) -- CCH Tax Compliance (CCH), Torrance, Calif., a leading provider of professional tax compliance software, said today that it has purchased the software and other assets of APlus Tax from Arthur Andersen LLP, Sarasota, Fla. In addition, CCH said Arthur Andersen, which has one of the world’s largest tax practices, has signed a multi-year licensing agreement for use of CCH’s highly regarded ProSystem fx Tax software (www.prosystemfx.com) throughout its practice offices.

Arthur Andersen will continue to support 1999 APlus Tax customers through the terms of their original agreements and both organizations will assist APlus Tax customers in the transition to CCH ProSystem fx Tax. For users of the discontinued APlus Tax, CCH has committed to an extensive customer transition program that includes automatic in-office conversion of client data from APlus Tax to ProSystem fx Tax and specialized orientation and training programs.

"Both CCH and Arthur Andersen are committed to assisting APlus Tax customers in making a smooth transition to our ProSystem fx Tax," said Gene Landoe, president, CCH Tax Compliance. "We’re going to do our absolute best to win over our new customers with a complete transition package, plus the excellent service and quality products that have always distinguished ProSystem fx in the marketplace."

APlus Tax has approximately 3,000 customers, primarily mid-size accounting firms around the U.S., as well as Arthur Andersen.

"Arthur Andersen has worked closely with CCH to ensure APlus Tax customers can rely fully on ProSystem fx’s high quality tax compliance software and customer support," said Jim Shedivy, managing partner, Arthur Andersen Tax Technology Enterprise.

Approximately 70 Arthur Andersen offices in the U.S. and 27 foreign offices will have access to the CCH software. Arthur Andersen already is a long-time customer of CCH’s authoritative tax research products and the firm can benefit by the seamless integration of the CCH compliance and research product lines.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The sale has cleared Hart-Scott-Rodino anti-trust review in the United States.

About CCH ProSystem fx Office

CCH ProSystem fx Office is a comprehensive integrated suite of software products for the professional accounting market. The cornerstone of the line is CCH ProSystem fx Tax, the industry’s most respected tax preparation and compliance software. In addition, the company offers desktop trial balance, audit, time and billing, productivity and tax planning modules.

CCH INCORPORATED (www.cch.com), headquartered in Riverwoods, Ill., was founded in 1913 and has served four generations of business professionals and their clients. The company produces more than 700 electronic and print products for tax, legal, securities, human resources, health care and small business markets. CCH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wolters Kluwer U.S.

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